What can I do with a Major in....Speech Pathology & Audiology?
Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists assess and treat people with speech, language, voice and fluency disorders (communication disorders).
Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Speech Pathology & Audiology majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:
What am I good at?
Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:
Interpersonal
Communication
Record keeping
Counseling
Research
Attention to detail
Concentration
Patience/Compassion
Objectivity
What do I like to do?
Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?
If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!
POSITIONS
Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.
A master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is the standard credential for most positions that perform the following with regard to communication disorders:
Screening, identifying and diagnosing problems
Planning and conducting treatment
Monitoring, evaluating and interpreting
Work with physicians, social workers and psychologists
Develop group programs, counsel parents and assist teachers
For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.
EMPLOYMENT
Typical places of employment are:
Community clinics
Public and private schools
Colleges and universities
Hospitals
Home health care agencies
Private practice
Nursing homes
Day care centers
Health maintenance organizations
Public health departments
Rehabilitation centers
Centers for the developmentally disabled
Research labs
LEARN MORE
To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.
St. John's University Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Career and Job Resources on the Internet
Places to begin:
Join the Career Centers COACH Program
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:
American Speech-Hearing Association 10801 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 897 - 5700 www.asha.org
National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
Speech Pathology and Audiology Unit, State Ed Dept., Division of Professional Licensing Services, Cultural Education Center, Room 3041, Albany, NY 12230
NYS Speech-Language Hearing Association PO Box 997, 25 Chamberlain Street Glenmont, NY 12077 - 0997 (518) 463 - 5272 www.healthcaresource.com/nysslha
For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.